The icy weather threw everyone's schedule off this week and made it difficult to get around for a couple of days. But the cold snap is long gone.

After being stuck indoors for hours on end, New Orleanians no doubt will be eager to get outside on a Saturday. There are lots of options: canoeing on Bayou St. John, touring the sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art, running along the Mississippi, trying out some of the bike lanes around town. If you're really ambitious, you could check out the 2:45 p.m. lecture about the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield.

Or maybe you just need to give your garden some attention after the stress of subfreezing temperatures or get ready for your Super Bowl watch party.

New Orleans voters are choosing a mayor and six of seven City Council members Saturday (Feb. 1). Only the District B seat has already been decided. Sheriff and clerk of Criminal District Court are also on the ballot. And for the first time since Frank Minyard was elected 40 years ago, New Orleanians will choose a new coroner as Dr. Minyard retires.

These are vitally important decisions, particularly as the city continues to rebuild post-Katrina.

A relatively large number of people chose to vote early, election officials said. The turnout is an encouraging sign that New Orleanians are engaged in the election.

If you haven't voted yet, there is plenty of time. Polls will be open 13 hours -- 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. So you can do your civic duty and everything else on your list.